The Steemian's Hierarchy of Needs
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/k7hDP3Z.png)
Ever since I joined Steemit, I've always been curious about the people who use the site. We've made many comparisons of the types of users based on their STEEM POWER and created class divides like Minnows, Dolphins, Orcas and Whales to denote which group every user belongs to. We have even had studies on the different kinds of Curators and their Curating patterns.
We haven't had much discussion on the different groups of people who use the site, their reasons for using the site and what benefits they seek to gain. Clearly, everybody that continues use the site sees benefit in one way or another. Financial rewards are just one aspect, and not all the users on the platform are here for that. That's a point that's often lost in conversation but hopefully this article will shed some light on other reasons.
I started thinking about the kinds of content people posted, and what relationship this had with what they hoped to gain from using the site. This lead me to think about the backgrounds of all the users and whether their perceived behaviour on the site can conclude something about their current circumstances in life.
In management school, I remember learning about a theory called Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs which attempts to model human development and their stages of growth. In a nutshell, this framework is based on 5 different categories of human needs which each need to be relatively or sufficiently satisfied before a person progresses to the next level of needs.
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In Maslow's theory, he acknowledges that people will act to satisfy needs from many levels at the same time, but will have one level that dominates their behaviour. Although many counter theories and arguments have been made to challenge Maslow's theories, it is still an important allegory of the human journey which obviously continues to be taught to a plethora of disciplines today.
How does this relate to Steemit?
Assuming everybody is in one of the levels, we should be able to see evidence of which level they are in through their behaviour on the platform. Furthermore, we can even begin describing the different kinds of Steemit personalities and behaviours on the site corresponding to each level.
It is hard to find many people who aren't motivated by money, but according to Maslow's theory, there are a full spectrum of people who have varying degree's of primary needs and as we move towards to the higher levels, money becomes less important.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/FYPddSo.png)
It is inevitable that most people at the bottom of the pyramid have monetary rewards as their primary goal. Their behaviour would classify them under the Safety Needs level as such, their behaviour on the site would be geared towards making as much money as possible. Ironically, striving to make money as the only goal usually renders the process of making larger amounts of money rather hard. Without the notion of betterment, a person can get stuck at this level in a vicious cycle of spending all their time trying to make money, whilst not developing the core competencies that allow them to reach for higher financial reward.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/D6Xl0y7.jpg)
For other's, the feeling of belonging to a community will eclipse their need for financial security. These people may be the ones who visit the site to interact with other users through discussion and taking part in community initiatives, getting to know the authors etc. These people will fall into the Love / Belonging Category. We see some community initiatives already such as the Robin Hood Group and Project Curie, the people behind those have clearly moved on from making money as their primary motivation.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/FVuVWtn.png)
A fewer number of people will seek to build a sense of self-esteem be it status, reputation, recognition, fame, prestige or simply attention. These people are sometimes mistaken for aligning themselves with financial motivations because their good monetary rewards are a manifestation of their higher desire for achievement, self-respect and attention. But sure enough, what is more important is clear to them, and that's all that matters at the end of the day. The Esteem level is interesting because it's one of philosophical pillars that founded this platform and where it derives its name from. In order to fully appreciate the site, I believe reaching this level is essential, and for some, it's already a reality, kudos to you!
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/http://i.imgur.com/Mj8KgGb.jpg)
The final level is the highest level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs - self-actualization, and is the tip of the pyramid where there are very few people. For people at this level, their motivations can almost seem altruistic, because their intentions can seem so self-less. People at this level will often care about using their accumulated knowledge, position and even wealth to help aid and progress society. They see this as a necessary step in doing the most they can do, and being the best they can be. On this platform, it would be the people who keep objective judgement rather than subjective, the people who see problems as challenges that require solutions and not complaints or excuses, the people who are non-discriminant and embrace all kinds of content and the people creating this content regardless of their race or content style, the people who are spontaneous and natural and stick to being themselves rather than being how others want, the people who put their money where their mouths are and support the platform for no other reason than believing it's place in humanity is significant.
It is really difficult to describe the people who belong to the Steemit level of self-actualization because the platform is so young and needs to stand the test of time. I have a pretty clear picture of a few names that come to mind for each level, even the top level, but remaining impartial, I won't name any names.
Instead, I'll let you guys have a think about who you would put in each level.
There needs to be a word for when you love a post so much you want to upvote immediately but you've only skimmed it and it's only been posted for one minute. I just had that experience with this post. Such a brilliant perspective and so clear. Beautiful.
Can't like this post enough, thank you for sharing this with us all, namaste :)
Muy interesante su post, va a ser reflexionar a mas de un usuario, en mi caso siento que evoluciono día a día, leer los diferentes post me ha ido enriqueciendo Muchas Gracias
Nice post!
In this day, I don't think you are at a level of that hierarchy all the time. Rather, you transit between levels more frequently but tend to be same 2 or 3 levels over a half year period.
Well, the theory does allow for a person to try satisfy needs from multiple levels at the same time, but the dominant level will always exist.
Yes, you're right.
"For other's, the feeling of belonging to a community will eclipse their need for financial security"
what draws me most to steemit is community. I don't have many libertarian/an cap friends, none that are very well versed in the philosophy, but I've met dozens here and held many deep meaningful conversations since. It's not just the libertarians either. the amount of creative free thinkers on this platform is amazing. My account is worth like $40 yet i spend like two hours a day on steemit reading and conversing. It's just so nice to have a place to hold real conversations, with people that wont get offended, and who are truly trying to make the world more positive. I almost want steemit to remain our little secret.....
I agree, the community is very strong and I've never been on a social network where I've had the opportunity to have real conversations with so many people about common interests or common ideas. It's a breath of fresh air to communicate with people who put some thought into what they say.
Yes, indeed, the top tier is the goal in life for higher living, to actualize, individuate and realize Moral Truth an live in it. That is what all my work is about.
I have also written about how we as a community are responsible for upping our game away from a focus on money towards focusing on quality content that can help us better ourselves, Steemit, and as result the whole world. I curate "new" content each day and upvote and comment on the posts I value that can make a difference in our lives. That post was an attempt to get people to understand this personal responsibility and do the same... I continue to teach and live by example.
Take care. Peace. Upvoted.
Maslow's Hierarchy pyramid has a flaw in that once you get most of the physiological needs & safety needs, levels begin to bleed into one another and you may get to another level of need completed before you complete the others before it. I modeling life is hard I guess. I like Steemit because it may be the great site killer. Less social media sites would be great. Im also a profiteer and seeing as how you get paid when people like your post it's kinda cool. I got a lot of philosophical views that probably need to be written down in a book, and then shot, but this platform is easier then doing that.
The champions of life are dead you can't when in tell the game is over.
You bought back memories for me! I remember studying Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory in college. Still very relatable to everyday society still. Well written and presented as always. Good job!